“As much fun as this is, it’s also very serious, and we’re making sure people all take this very seriously,” said Karesh.

Jeff – he doesn’t use his last name for this aspect of his life – was always an avid home cook, and two years ago, began making marijuana brownies for his friend’s mom who had cancer. But once she became a regular of these kinds of treats, she began to tire of the brownies and cookies available.

“The issue was always that there’s a specific taste to everything that you make with it,” said Jeff. After two years of experimentation, he hit pay dirt six weeks ago, when he figured out a process to make butter infused with the potency of the herb but without the marijuana flavor.

He is working with a lawyer now to patent it, but is happy to teach his method to others. He explained that the marijuana must be cured for eight days, in various natural solutions that removes the flavor but leaves the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, what causes the high) and CBD (cannabidiol, what relieves the pain) in the butter.

Jeff explained that if one is going to venture into making edibles, there is a lot to learn, especially since there are so many kinds of strains of pot these days. A rookie mistake may have eaters lying on the floor wanting to go to the hospital or if you're Maureen Dowd, penning a now infamous column in the New York Times.

Attendees of Jeff’s class will also learn about the varieties of pot, and what kind should be used for what purpose. While there are over 100 strains, he said, these are usually hybrids of two major types of marijuana: Indica and Sativa. Indica causes one to feel relaxed or sleepy, while Sativa is known to be more energetic and uplifting (if you’re laughing hysterically, it’s most likely the Sativa at play).

“I tailor my food to what the person needs,” said Jeff. “If they have cancer and they’re dealing with pain, Indica is better, but if someone needs more energy and focus, and wants a happy-go-lucky experience, I’ll do something with Sativa. Every strain of marijuana has its own characteristics and the butters I make embody those characteristics to give people the experience they want.”

While this is his first foray into teaching, Jeff often cooks dinner parties for people, using edible pot in most courses. Just as a chef does, he calibrates the doses and timing, to provide the optimal experience for guests, without, hopefully, any guests, in his words, “freaking out.”

Through his own trial and error, he said, “I know exactly what I’m working with, so throughout an entire party people should not get more than the right amount for them in their food.”

Making CannaButter. Photo courtesy of Feastly

Jeff added that there are two price levels for the class, one is just to observe, for $85, and at the higher level, $175, guests will leave with a kit to make their own CannaButter at home, except the marijuana, of course, which they will need to supply.

Discounts are offered for anyone who works at a Bay Area dispensary.

While Feastly was the one to approach Jeff, both are thrilled about the partnership and are excited to see where it could take them.

“We’re really excited about this, as we don’t think anyone has openly been doing this using medical marijuana and food together,” said Karesh.

Added Jeff: “I really see them as a huge outlet for me to get out there and set up these classes throughout the country, wherever medical marijuana is used.”

And not to harsh your mellow or anything, but no edibles will be ingested at Saturday’s class.

FeastlyFeastly

Feastly Offers Class on The Art of Cooking With Marijuana - Making CannaButter for Edibles Without the Harsh Taste

Sometimes A Perfect Stranger Is The Best Dinner Host

Tim West: Food Hackathon, Burning Man & Doritos

Matching Diners To Chefs, Startups Hatch Underground Supper Clubs